Lemon Tree Lodge

Deck overlooking ocean and town

Large studio with Ocean view. Excellent breakfast!

Great view from our ocean-facing room. It was a cool night and they eqipped the room with an electric heater, so it was cozy. Breakfast provided several options for a continental service with tea and coffee in the room.

This B&B was pricier than my other bookings on my long trip to New Zealand, however, saying that, I felt that it was good "bang for buck". The first thing is that you are not located on the main highway, North of the town. If you want access to groceries, liquor, etc, this is where you want to be (and you'll be on a noisy highway with many motels). But, if you want an experience that you will never forget, then stay here. I was dropped off by the bus and walking and, even with pushing my 50 lb suitcase up a steep path and sweating my brains out, I was so impressed with where I landed up (and I'm 64 yrs old!). The Lemon Tree Lodge is a small B&B, run by a family. I met the lady (can't remember her name, sorry), and she was lovely. The manager of the hotel, a young woman from Italy working on a Work Visa, was also very attentive to anything that I asked for. I can't understand how anybody could complain about the self-serve breakfast here. They had everything (other than fried foods - eggs, bacon) that you could imagine. I never get why some tourists consider things "bad" if it's not exactly what they eat at home. That's why you travel :) And, as far as stating that you talk to nobody in this B&B and that it is very inpersonal, that is probably because you never said hello to anybody. Again, take responsibility for your happiness and talk to people. I spoke with the owner, the manager (many times) and at least 3 other couples staying there from different countries (over a 2 day period). I stayed in the Sunflower Room (not ocean view) and I might as well have been in the room with a view because every chance I had, I walked around (30 seconds) to the front and sat in the area that was there for the back rooms to enjoy the views, which are stunning by the way! I must have sat there 4 times in 3 days.

Great location, walkable to Kaikoura main downtown strip, restaurants and shops. Lovely courtyard and decent breakfast.

Close proximity to highway meant load vehicle noise through the night. The bed was not comfortable, might be time for an upgrade!

No instructions prior to check-in, finally found a note on the door to advise which room we were assigned (key in the room door) and assigned parking spot. Breakfast was cafeteria trays in the kitchen - not sure if we were supposed to take these back to our room to eat?? Too cold and windy to sit outside. We left and went into town for breakfast. Great views, room nicely appointed, but you have to drive everywhere. It was not a very “friendly” experience at all!

Lovely little inn on top of the hill in Kaikōura. Family run, so you’ll likely meet the owner who is a very nice woman. She does an adorable continental breakfast spread every morning with hard boiled eggs, meats and cheeses, yogurt, fresh fruit and granola, fresh bakery muffins and breads, jellies, etc. We had a back room with a porch and the most AMAZING view. At night you can sit out and just stare up at the stars. The night sky in Kaikoura is stunning. The only downside was no AC and no ceiling or any fans in the room. But we opened the windows and double door and there was a breeze like 90% of the time so I guess in NZ it’s all about letting the outside in!

Breakfast basic but ok. Location ok.

The garden rooms are very basic with little comfort. Traffic noise all night and zero sound proofing so you can hear neighbours conversations. Mould on bedroom ceiling, worn carpets, rust on appliances, dirty splashes in wall, broken toilet flush, chips on cups and plates. It’s just not very nice and seriously not value for money. Zero human contact throughout the stay. A piece of paper if stuck to a door telling you where your room is. Do not recommend

Location Bed And the view Ohhh and the breakfast

Nothing